Arciniaga and Berry outran a galaxy of more than 12,200 runners in the new 13.1-mile intergalactic journey through Disneyland Resort and Anaheim area streets where a variety of Disney entertainment, including Star Wars characters, cheered on runners at every mile.

More than 23,000 runners started races during the four-day event weekend, which included a variety of race experiences for all levels, from Padawans to Jedi Masters – the runDisney Kids Races, the Star Wars 5K, the Star Wars 10K and the Star Wars Half Marathon. And for an ultimate test for Star Wars rebels, there was the Star Wars Rebel Challenge – a two-race challenge that combined the Star Wars 10K on Saturday with the Star Wars Half Marathon on Sunday. Jedi runners who finished the 19.3-mile challenge earned a special Star Wars Rebel Challenge finisher medal in addition to medals for the 10K and half marathon.

This year, the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend “ran” for four full days and featured more than 26,700 registered runners competing in the full marathon. Individuals from more than 60 countries and all 50 states made the 26.2 mile trek through Disney Parks, the Walt Disney World Speedway and ESPN Wide World of Sports complex.

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The Castaway Cay Challenge was a 5K course that allowed runners to travel through a lovely island setting with themed photo stops along the way. More than 700 runners participated in this first-of-it’s-kind event.

Have you participated in a runDisney event? What did you like about it? Tell us in the “Comments” section below!

This event was the first of its kind to be held amid the swaying palm trees and turquoise waters of a private island paradise. Disney cruisers followed a special 5K course throughout Castaway Cay, enjoying unique photo opps and friendly greetings along the way …

To be eligible for the challenge, runners had to complete any Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend race with a distance of 5K or longer this past weekend. Then they had a few days to rest up, relaxing aboard the Disney Dream, before running through paradise (literally)! The voyage also featured special activities, speakers and merchandise designed for the Castaway Cay Challenge participants.

The next Castaway Cay Challenge takes place following the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend during the four-night cruise aboard the Disney Dream departing February 23. Hope to “run” into you there!

From January 15–18, a Galactic Empire of runDisney enthusiasts will descend on the Disneyland Resort. Join the ranks of the Rebel Alliance, Wookiees or Imperial Fleet! Plan to look out of this world as you cross the runDisney finish line of the inaugural Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend presented by Sierra Nevada Corporation.

Find iconic Star Wars characters, symbols and phrases such as “May The Course Be With You” and “Let the Wookiee Win,” on performance tees, hoodies, jackets and other novelty items, including headwear, jewelry, magnets and window clings. Have you signed up for the Star Wars Rebel Challenge? A selection of ladies’ and men’s T-shirts (cotton and performance), jackets, magnets, runner’s hat, Bondi Bands and Sweaty Bands themed to the Rebel Challenge will be available, as well as ‘all race’ event logo inspired merchandise.

Do … or Do Not. I say ‘do.’ Because these Star Wars themed Dooney & Bourke bags are bound to go faster than the speed of light.

What about pins? In addition to the inaugural Star Wars Half Marathon logo pin, Rebel Challenge, 5K and 10K pins, there will also be two medal spinner pins. Check them out!

For the second year in a row, Fredison Costa from Brazil, who recently moved to Orlando to train, finished with a time of 2:18:06 and ran away with the overall title. Brazilians dominated the event by taking the top four positions in the men’s division.

Giovanna Martins continued the Brazilian domination as the top female winner, with a finishing time of 2:50:20.

For the first time, friends and family of runners were able to watch a live video stream of the start and finish lines of the half and full marathon on the Disney Parks Blog. Runners are invited to go the Disney Parks Blog to replay and relive their accomplishment.

But before you do that, here is a chance for you to relive this morning’s race.

This is your chance to replay the excitement of a runDisney start and finish line. Check out replays of our live streams from earlier today as your friends, family and thousands from around the world start and finish the Walt Disney World Half Marathon presented by Cigna. The 13.1-mile journey started just outside Epcot on Epcot Center Drive, and took runners to the Magic Kingdom, through Cinderella Castle, back to Epcot, past Spaceship Earth, and finished in the Epcot parking area.

Your chance to track, watch runners cross the finish line and share in their celebration “live” begins by viewing the video feeds below.

Below is a choice of two live streams. The first includes the start line, multiple cameras and social media feeds. The second, an uninterrupted stream from the finish line.

You can join in the runDisney social media conversation by using #WDWHalf.

For more information on the half marathon, marathon and other runDisney event weekends, visit runDisney.com.

Walt Disney World Half Marathon Start Line:

To view the full size version of the Walt Disney World Half Marathon Start Line, click here.

Walt Disney World Half Marathon Finish Line:

To view the full size version of the Walt Disney World Half Marathon Finish Line, click here.

It was exciting to join thousands of runners at Epcot and brave the unseasonable cool temperature and run the 3.1 mile course around World Showcase, past Spaceship Earth, and cross the finish line to earn a runDisney 5K finisher medal. The costumes, energy and Disney spirit were amazing. It was fun to see first-time runners, and runners of all ages and nationalities enjoying the fun run.

That leads me to share some exciting news. The Disney Parks Blog and runDisney want to share the excitement of the start and finish lines of our events. Building off the success of live video streams for the holidays, we will “live’ stream the half marathon on Saturday and the marathon on Sunday.

Family and friends, and those wanting to see what a runDisney event is all about, will be able to visit the Disney Parks Blog both days starting at 5 a.m., and watch the start and finish of both races. You will be able to track, watch runners cross the finish line and share in their celebration.

We are always looking for ways to enhance our runner and guest experience, and hope this live stream allows you to share in the magic of a runDisney event.

UPDATE: This event has been filled to capacity. Please CLICK HERE to view a list of the accepted event attendees. If you are on the list and do not receive a confirmation email by 7 p.m. EST today, please contact us at WDW.BlogMeetUps@disney.com.

We’ve just finalized exciting plans for a runDisney Blog Meet-Up and it’s one you’ll not want to miss. On Sunday January 11, 2015, we’re offering the opportunity to be part of a special preview screening of Disney’s “McFarland, USA” at Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort before it opens in U.S. theaters on February 20.

At the event, you’ll see “McFarland, USA,” which is based on the 1987 true story that follows novice runners from McFarland, an economically challenged town in California’s farm-rich Central Valley, as they give their all to build a cross-country team under the direction of Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner) — a newcomer to their predominantly Latino high school. Soon something beyond their physical gifts become apparent — the power of family relationships, their unwavering commitment to one another and their incredible work ethic.

RSVP for the meet-up now by sending us an email with your name, address and if you’ll be bringing a guest to WDW.BlogMeetUps@disney.com. Only one guest is permitted. A limited number of attendees will be selected for the event, so be one of the first to sign up.

Also, there are a few things you should know:

All attendees who sign up for the event must be 18 years or older, but guests do not need to be 18 or older.

Disney “McFarland, USA” is rated PG.

Limit one guest per registrant.

We will send an email to individuals whose valid RSVPs are received by us via email before we reach the planned capacity to confirm their attendance for the event.

If confirmed, it will be necessary for the registrant and guest to check in at Downtown Disney for access to the event. The confirmation will include those details.

Valid photo I.D. will be required at check-in.

Meet-up confirmations are non-transferrable and have no cash value.

Confirmation will be for the accepted registered person and guest.

If you do not receive an email from us confirming your reservation, then your RSVP was not accepted.

The event is subject to change or cancellation without notice.

This post will be updated after capacity has been reached.

Also, here are some other things to know:

This is an advance screening of the film. Closed Captioning and Descriptive Video services may not be available.

Please arrive early. No one will be admitted late. We may refuse, revoke or limit admission in our sole discretion at any time.

NO RECORDING

The screening will be monitored for unauthorized recording. By attending, you agree not to bring any video or audio recording devices (including, without limitation, cameras) into the venue and you consent to a physical search of your belongings and person for recording devices. If you attempt to enter with a recording device, you will be denied admission. If you attempt to use a recording device during this screening, you consent to your immediate removal from the venue and forfeiture of your recording device and its contents. Any attempted unauthorized recording will be reported to law enforcement and may subject you to criminal and civil liability. We reserve the right to pursue any and all available remedies at law and in equity for any unauthorized recording and/or copyright infringement, including without limitation statutory damages of up to $150,000 per violation, and nothing contained in this notice shall be construed to limit our available remedies and/or legal recourse. You assume all risks of personal injury arising from or incidental to attending the screening, whether occurring prior to, during, or after the event. Further, by attending you grant permission to Disney Destinations, LLC, its licensees, licensors, affiliates and agents, to record and utilize your name, voice and likeness to publicize the screening and promote the movie.

With temperatures dipping around the country, I decided to talk with Fit2Run store manager, Gary Robinson, to get his take on winter fitness. Gary thinks that winter is a great time to start a running program, as long as you have the right gear. For runners who live in colder climates, long sleeve shirts or jackets with thumb holes can help keep you warm (there are some seriously cute options); running hats that cover your ears are a great addition, along with running gloves (some even have LEDs built into them for extra visibility!). I’m lucky to live in Florida where shorts and tank tops are the norm most of the year, but the bright selection of winter apparel makes me want to sign up for a race up north.

Now that 2015 is here, I’m guessing many of you have New Year’s resolutions? If running is on your list, here are some tips from Gary especially for beginners:

Limit yourself when you first start out. Start slowly and build from there.

Once you have a base weekly mileage, only increase it by 10% each week. This will always save you from injury.

Get the correct shoes. Shoes can make a world of difference.

Talk to people who are successful in running. You may want to ask them how they stay motivated.

Consider running with a group – they’ll keep you coming out each week.

If you’re overwhelmed by the idea of running, stop into Fit2Run during your next West Side visit and talk to the staff … from 6 hour marathoners to state champs in track and field, they represent a variety of fitness levels who all embrace the culture of fitness. (My tip? Ask about their weekly Fun Runs … they’re free, untimed events open to anyone!)

Whatever your goals for the year ahead, I hope you reach them. And for anyone participating in the runDisney events this weekend, I’ll see you at the finish line! (Oh, and runDisney athletes, don’t forget to join us for the Downtown Disney Cool Down Party on Sunday, January 11th from 2 – 8 p.m., where your race medal will score you goodies and discounts including a free drawstring bag from Fit2Run.)

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